Royal Jerusalem committee decries Israel’s demolition, settlement policies

AMMAN — Secretary General of the Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs (RCJA) Abdullah Kanaan on Thursday described the large-scale Israeli policy of demolition and settlement in Jerusalem and the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood as a crime that “perpetuates its apartheid policy”.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Kanaan said that Israel’s policy, especially the recent demolition of Salhiya family home in Jerusalem, shows that “Israel is an apartheid racist state at the world level”.

Kanaan pointed out that the RCJA stresses the "firm" Jordanian position under His Majesty King Abdullah's leadership, the historical custodian over Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites.

He also highlighted the King's support to the Palestinian cause in all forums, referring to his calls to achieve comprehensive and just peace and adhere to the two-state solution, including the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the pre-1967 borders.

To end the current deadlock, he said that the RCJA hopes the world will support Jordan's position and role that seeks to realise stability in the region.

Kanaan noted that Israel's policy cannot achieve the region's desired security and peace, especially in light of its unilateral behaviour that rejects international legitimacy resolutions, and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their state and preserve their Islamic and Christian sanctities.

The RCJA also called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League to intensify their diplomatic, media, cultural and economic efforts to support the Palestinian people's rights and just causes, according to Kanaan.